Transcribing apparatus with variable automatic recall facilities

ABSTRACT

THE INVENTION CONCERNS DICTATING TRANSCRIBING APPARATUS USING A MAGNETIC BELT RECORD MEDIA AND HAVING A VARIETY OF AUTOMATIC AND SEMIAUTOMATIC FEATURES. THE TRANSCRIBING UNIT HAS AN ASSOCIATED HEAD SET AND FOOT CONTROL AND IS ARRANGED FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING OF THE MAGNETIC BELT FROM THE FRONT OF THE UNIT. VARIOUS OPERATING CONTROLS ARE ALSO PROVIDED ON THE FRONT OF THE TRANSCRIBING UNIT. TRANSCRIBING OPERATIONS ARE UNDER CONTROL OF A FOOT PEDAL AND INCLUDE STARTING AND STOPPING OF THE BELT MOVEMENT, A MEASURED REVIEW WHICH IS REPEATABLE, A FORWARD REVIEW, AND OTHER OPERATIONS REQUIRED FOR TRANSCRIBING. THE UNIT FEATURES AUTOMATIC RECALL STRUCTURES AND CIRCUITS FOR RELATIVELY REPOSITIONING THE SOUND HEAD AND BELT UP TO FIVE (5) WORDS OF PRIOR DICTATION FOLLOWING RELEASE OF THE FOOT CONTROL IN A PLAYBACK OPERATION IN ORDER TO REPEAT THE WORDS WHEN STARTED AGAIN. A RACK AND TIMER COOPERATE WITH RELAY CIRCUITS TO CONTROL THE EXTENT OF RECALL.

March 1971 c. RIDINGS ET 3,567,229 TRANSCRIBING APPARATUS WIT ARIABLE AUTOMATIC RECALL FACILITIES Filed Jan. 19, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS CHARLES L. RIDINGS BRUNO F. WEHMER WALTER F. WING ATTORNEY March 2, 1971 c. L. RIDINGS ETAL 3,567,229

TRANSCRIBING APPARATUS WITH VARIABLE AUTOMATIC RECALL FACILITIES Filed Jan. '19, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet m March 2, 1971 c. L. RIDINGS ETAL 3,567,229 TRANSGRIBING APPARATUS WITH VARIABLE AUTOMATIC RECALL FACILITIES Filed Jan. 19, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 2, 1971 c. 1.. RIDINGS ErAL 3,567,229

TRANSCRIBING APPARATUS WITH VARIABLE AUTOMATIC RECALL FACILITIES 5 Sheets-Sheet I Filed Jan. 19, 1968 FIG. GU

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March 2,. 1971 Filed Jan. 19, 1968 C. L. RIDINGS ETAL TRANSCRIBING APPARATUS WITH VARIABLE AUTOMATIC RECALL FACILITIES ,5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent Oihce Patented Mar. 2, 1971 US. Cl. 274-1 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention concerns dictating transcribing apparatus using a magnetic belt record media and having a variety of automatic and semiautomatic features. The transcribing unit has an associated head set and foot control and is arranged for loading and unloading of the magnetic belt from the front of the unit. Various operating controls are also provided on the front of the transcribing unit. Transcribing operations are under control of a foot pedal and include starting and stopping of the belt movement, a measured review which is repeatable, a forward review, and other operations required for transcribing. The unit features automatic recall structures and circuits for relatively repositioning the sound head and belt up to five words of prior dictation following release of the foot control in a playback operation in order to repeat the words when started again. A rack and timer cooperate with relay circuits to control the extent of recall.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS US. Pat. 3,222,460, N. J. Albanes et al., inventors, entitled Multiple Station Selection System.

US. application Ser. No. 699,259, filed concurrently herewith inventors: C. M. Fackler et al., entitled Dictating and Transcribing Apparatus With Automatic and Semiautomatic Operator-Controlled Facilities.

US. application Ser. No. 691,840, filed Dec. 19, 1967; inventors: J. Richard Dyar et al.; entitled Headset Featuring Collapsibility for Storage and Expandibility for Use.

OTHER REFERENCES The following additional references are of interest:

IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, May 1967, pp. 1776 and 1777, authored by W. F. Wing, entitled Retractable Cord Take-Up Reel With Auto-Reset Cord Stop.

Customer Engineering Instruction Manual, Dictation Equipment, IBM Models 211, 212 and 213, form No.

241-5071, dated Oct. 5, 1962.

Reference Manual, Dictation Equipmnet, IBM Models 211, 212, 213 and 214, form No. 241-5132, dated Oct. 22, 1962.

BRIEF BACKGROUND OF INVENTION, INCLUD- ING FIELD AND PRIOR ARTGENERAL The field of the invention encompasses dictating and transcribing apparatus, particularly those having provision for recording and reproducing sound on a magnetic record media, such as a magnetic belt. Devices of this nature generally have means for operator control of the equipment. Thus, a transcribing unit generally has a head set and a foot control. Prior art of interest is indicated in the several sections below.

The Albanes et al. patent noted in the Cross References section describes a magnetic belt dictating machine that is also representative of a prior art device of this nature. Comparable apparatus is also described in the Customer Engineering Instruction Manual and Reference Manual listed in the Other References" section above.

MACHINE CONTROLS AND CIRCUITS The transcribing unit generally operates in a listen mode but also has provision for reviewing various portions of a previously dictated belt.

AUTOMATIC RECALL FEATURE An object of the invention is to provide dictating and transcribing apparatus with greater flexibility of operation while maintaining effective operator control.

Also, an object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic recall mechanism with which the extent of recall on a media is variable under control of the operator.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a mechanical automatic recall mechanism with a limited amount of circuitry that permits the operator to select a variable amount of information for recall purposes during transcription.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanied drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a transcribing unit with provision for loading and unloading a belt record media from the front and having an associated headset and foot control.

FIG. 2 shows an automatic recall rack and associated components for the transcribing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 represents pawls in connection with a manual scanning operation.

FIG. 4 represents an automatic recall control button and associated linkage for adjusting the recall rack in FIGS. 2 and 5.

FIG. 5 is a semi-exploded view of various components in the transcribing unit of FIG. 1 particularly showing portions of the belt loading-unloadng mechanism, head restoring mechanism, head driving mechanism, forward and reverse mechanism, and an auto recall mechanism corresponding to that shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 6a and 6b, when arranged according to FIG. 7, represent circuitry for the transcribing unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a logic diagram for the circuit actions in the transcribing unit of FIG. 1 and with reference to the circuits of FIGS. 6a and 6b.

TERMINOLOGY AND ABBREVIATIONS The following terminology and abbreviations are used in several places in the diagrams of the present case:

AE-Automatic Erase Auto Off (AO)Automatic power shut off B StagePower Amplifier Stage BL-Belt is loaded, Belt Load contacts EOBEnd of Belt FWD, FForward HOLE-Initial phasing aperture in belt HD-Hole Detect General description The transcriber unit is pictured in FIG. 1. Various mechanisms concerned with belt loading and unloading, phasing, reverse ad forward scanning and other mechaisms are snown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. Additional mechanisms concerned with a Word Recall operation are specifically shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5.

As with transcribing units in the prior art, the primary objective of the transcribing unit according to the present invention is to facilitate the transcription of previously recorded media. Operating instructions for the unit are set forth below.

TRANSCRIBING UNIT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Loading belt (1) The belt 2 is placed on the machine by sliding it over the mandrel 11 with the arrows pointing toward the machine. The belt is inserted into the machine as far as it will go without forcing it.

(2) The belt release lever b is moved to the left to load the belt. Thereafter, the belt rotates at high speed. When it stops it is automatically phased.

Removing belt (1) Belt release lever 10b is moved to the right. The belt will partially extend from the machine at this time.

(2) The belt is then manually removed from the machine. Scanner lever 16a automatically returns to the left margin.

Index slip loading and removal (1) The index slip a is inserted into the holder 13a. (2) The slip is slid out of the holder for removal.

HEADSET Removing (1) The operator grasps and pulls headset 14 out of the unit a convenient distance. Tension is released on the headset cable allowing the cord to lock into position. (Note the Wing publication.)

(2) The earpieces are twisted sideways until they snap into an expanded condition. (Note the Dyar et al. applition.)

(3) The earpieces are spread apart to put the headset on.

Replacing (l) The earpieces are pushed together. (2) The earpieces are twisted until they snap into their rest position or until they lie side by side.

4 (3) The headset is held securely in one hand. The rewind button 30a is depressed to retract the cable.

(4) The headset is guided into the storage compartment.

(5) The rewind button 30a is released.

FOOT CONTROL Operating (l) Start-stop.The right side of the foot control 8 starts the machine when depressed. The machine stops when the right side is released.

(2) Review.When the left side of foot control 8 is depressed, the sound head is moved back approximately 10 Words or six seconds of recording time when the recording time selector 27a is in the 10 minute position. As an optional feature, the left side depressed moves the sound head back continuously in six second increments, thus giving an extended review. If the recording time selector 27a is in the 20 minute position, the measured review will be 12 seconds or approximately 20 words. For most dictating and transcribing, the switch is in the 10 minute position.

(3) Forward review-Depression of the top of foot control 8 moves the sound head forward approximately 10 words or six seconds. With an optional feature, keeping the foot control depressed causes the sound head to advance continuously in six second increments. If recording time selector 27a is in the 20 minute position, the forward movement will be in 12 second increments or approximately 20 words.

UNIT OPERATING CONTROLS (l) Tuning control.Tuning control 17 is not normally used. This control is provided so that belts recorded on other dictating equipment can be transcribed on the present transcriber. If a belt without an initial phasing aperture is placed in the transcriber, the automatic initial tuning feature is not operative. The belt will continue to rotate, but is stopped by tapping the forward review (top) portion of the foot control. Manual tuning can now be accomplished by moving tuning control 17 left or right.

(2) Automatic word recall. Releasing the right side of foot control 8 activates the auto recall mechanism. This allows the last few words of dictation to be repeated the next time the right side of the foot control is depressed. The amount of recall is adjustable from: No Recall to about five (5) words. This feature is adjusted to the amount of recall desired by moving recall lever 19 left or right. The panel is marked in seconds from 05 seconds.

(3) Scanner lever.Scanner lever 16a is provided to allow manual location of the sound head to any position on the belt. Any portion of the recorded information can be reached by pushing the lever toward the machine and sliding left or right. If the right side of foot control 8 is depressed when moving the scanner lever, the transcriber can at the same time listen to what is recorded on the belt. If scanner lever 16a is moved, either manually or by depressing the forward review position of the foot control, to the far right of the index slip area, the transcriber will automatically shut off. The unit is turned back on by manually moving the scanner lever to the left.

(4) Speed control.The playback speed is adjusted by speed control knob 22, which is rotated left or right for adjustment. The speed is decreased by turning it to the left and increased when turned to the right. The dot in the center of the control indicates the middle of the speed range.

(5) Tone control.The tone can be adjusted by control 29. The dot in the center of this control indicates the middle of the range.

(6) Volume control.Volume control 31 varies the loudness of the dictation heard through headset 14. The dot on the knob represents the middle of the volume range.

ERASING THE BELT The erase knob 40a is used to initiate complete erasure of the entire belt after it has been transcribed. This feature is semiautomatic. Once the knob has been depressed, it latches into position, and as soon as the belt has been completely erased, returns to its normal position. The machine stops to indicate the belt has been erased.

HEADSET Headset 14 is positioned for storage in compartment 34 of transcribing unit 5. As described in the Dyar et al. patent application indicated in the Cross Reference section above, headset 14 is collapsible for storage in unit 5 and when withdrawn from the unit is expandable for normal use by the transcriber.

PREPARATION FOR BELT LOADING AND PHASING Following removal of a previous magnetic belt 2 from unit 5, the sound head in unit is restored to the home margin in a manner similar to that described in connection with the dictation unit. This is effected by engagement of extension 96 of sound head 82 with restore lead screw 95 driven by gear 109, FIG. 5, and the application of power from transistor T8 through the Not Head Restore (m) contacts to the motor through the Not Phase 1 (PH-1) contacts.

Normally, the transcriber selects an index slip a that is related to the belt to be transcribed and positions it in the index retainer 13a, FIG. 1. Another belt is then slipped onto mandrel 11 into the transcribing unit as far as it will go. Thereafter, belt lever 10b is moved to the left about pivot 45 and belt 2 is pulled into unit 5 on drive rollers, such as drive roller 63, FIG. 5, by gripper assembly 50, such as that described in the Johnson et al. application. Movement of belt lever 10b to the left rotates assembly 46, latches various belt loading and phasing mechanisms and applies power to the motor in the unit to rotate lead screw 100 and belt 2. The latching is controlled by cam 73 acting on member 74 that is part of a latching assembly including bell crank 86.

Also, link 68 moves cranks 61 and 68 to move roller 73 by slides 65 and 70 to apply belt tension. Link 79 through bail 81 on shaft 83 retains sound head 82 on carriage 103 away from belt 2 and bail 87 operated by link 83 disengages the lead screw escapement pawls. Member 84 is engaged to drive lead screw 100. As soon as lead screw 100 reaches a zero phase condition as reflected by pin 92 contacting member 84 at 842, clutch 93 is disconnected. Belt 2 continues to drive until aperture 2a is sensed by contact assembly 97. Rotation of lead screw 100 to the zero phase condition is indicated by cam 94 on shaft 83 that closes lead screw contacts LS1 (part of contact assembly 75) by movement of member 78, while detection of aperture 2a closes the Hole Detect (HD-l) contacts, FIG. 6a (Assembly 97 with contacts 98 and 99, FIG. 5). A circuit is thereupon completed to energize transistor T2 and actuate forward magnet 89a to release the mechanism previously latched which includes release of member 86 and transfer of the Phase contacts 75 to the condition shown in FIG. 62, thereby indicating that the lead screw and belt have been phased to a proper initial position. The unit is thereupon ready for use by the operator and control by appropriate movement of foot control 8.

As indicated in the operating instructions, compatibility of the unit for operation with magnetic belt media having no aperture is achieved by insertion of such media in the unit and depression of foot control 8 to close switches in order to active Reverse solenoid 89a thereby unlatching the loading and phasing mechanisms and preparing the unit for use.

TYPICAL TRANSCRIBING OPERATIONS To transcribe an inserted belt in unit 5, the operator positions headset 14 are listening to signals derived during Playback and positions foot control 8 for appropriate depression in the various directions indicated. Depression of the right side of the foot control transfers switches 1 and 2 within the foot control to apply power to the various machine circuits. Power is provided from transistor T8 through the Belt Load (BL1) contacts, Phase 1 contacts, Automatic Off (AO1) contacts, connector 6 in the foot control to the lower strap of Playback switch contact 1 in foot control 8. Such transfer applies to power supply potential, which is a nominal 16.0 volts from terminal 6 through the lower set of contacts in switch 1, by terminal 11 and completes a circuit to relay R operated by transistor T4. Relay R is held through its own R-l contacts and a set of timer contacts TC that are significant in the Automatic Recall operation to be described. Also, the transfer of switch contacts 1 close a circuit for energizing relay RR through transistor T5. The RR1 contacts complete the amplifier circuit to the headset, FIG. 6b.

In FIG. 6a, the R-3 contacts transfer and potential is applied through these contacts, the Not Automatic Erase contacts (AE-l) to the upper part of motor 10511. The loser portion of the motor circuit is completed through the Phase 2 contacts, Not Automatic Erase contacts 2 (AID-2), terminal 12 of foot control 8 center strap of Playback contact 2, lower strap of this set of contacts, terminal 10 and by line 66 to the motor regulating circuit and speed control circuit including transistors T10-T16, FIG. 612.

Release of foot control 8 will disconnect the circuits just described and with control 19 set to a zero or No Recall position, FIG. 1, stops the motor and the Playback operation.

MANUAL SCAN OPERATION Pushing scanning lever 16a in toward the machine enables movement of the scanner mechanism and magnetic head to any desired position on index slip 15a and with respect to belt 2. The movement of scanning lever 16:: operates pawl retract bail 87, FIG. 3, to disengage pawl assembly 101 from lead screw and permit easy movement of the sound head in the unit. This is accomplished with retractor 183 and retractor driver 185 connected at 184. The upper set of pawls is disengaged by retractor 186.

FORWARD STEPPING It is possible for the operator to reach a desired portion of belt 2 in the Forward direction by depressing the top portion of foot control 8. This transfer switch contacts designated Forward (FWD) and provides a connection through terminal 18 to saturate transistor T1 thereby activating the Forward solenoid 88a. This renders the escapement mechanisms described in the Fackler et al. application effective to increment the sound head in relation to the magnetic belt by successive increments that is termed a measured review.

Movement of the sound head in transcribing unit 5 in the reverse direction in relation to magnetic belt 2 is effected by depressing the left portion of foot control 8 thereby transferring the Reverse switch contacts and completing a circuit through connection 8 to transistor T2 to activate the Reverse solenoid 89.

With an option, continued incrementing of the sound head in either the selected forward or reverse directions is repeated continuously by continued depression of the foot control 8 in the required direction.

AUTOMATIC RECALL FEATURE The transcribing apparatus incorporates means for automatically repositioning the sound head in relation to the magnetic belt 2 each time that the foot control is released following a Playback operation in order to pick up the last several words of dictation when the equipment is started again. The recall is adjustable by means of the recall lever 19, FIG. 1, anywhere from a No Recall condition to approximately five (5) words.

The recall feature includes various structures shown particularly in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 together with electrical circuits in FIG. 6a.

The operator adjusts recall lever 19 prior to a transcribing operation, normally, and readjusts as desired during the course of transcribing operations. In FIG. 4, recall lever 19 extends from a block 230 that is slidably mounted for movement to the left and right on guide rods 231 and 232. Extending from block 230 is a pin 234 cooperating with a link 235 mounted for pivotal movement at 236. Connected to link 235 by clevis link 238 is a lever 240 centrally mounted for pivoting at 241. Lever 240 has an adjustable stop 242 arranged for cooperation with a timer rack 243, the latter three items also being shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Rack 243 is arranged in the figures with a spring member 250 maintaining rack 243 generally to the left against stop 242. Positioned adjacent extremity 243a of rack 243 is a set of timer contacts TC, shown also in the circuit of FIG. 27a. Rack 243 is also movable slightly upwardly and downwardly as indicated by arrow 252, FIG. 2, under control of a timer magnet T. This is effected by movement of a timer arm 254 engaging rack 243 in slot 243]) by pin 256. Rack 243 is positioned adjacent a driving gear 260 for driving from left to right during its operation.

Considering the structural aspects first, rack 243 normally rests against stop 242 and by energization of timer magnet T through armature 262 is moved upwardly under control of arm 254 and pin 256 into engagement with gear 260. Adjustment of recall lever 19 moves rack 243 closer or further away from contact assembly TC. Contact assembly TC is incorporated in a driving circuit for motor 105a to drive the motor and hence the sound head in relation to magnetic belt 2 a varying distance depending upon the time it takes rack 243 to encounter operating strap 265 of the timer contact assembly TC and open contacts TC.

RECALL CIRCUITS AND OPERATION It is assumed that recall lever 19 is set at a position other than a No Recall position which moves stop 242 leftwardly and due to the bias exerted by spring 250 moves rack 243 away from strap 265 of contact assembly TC. Conditions are now established for reversing the direction of drive or rotation of motor t105a, thereby reversing the scanning of the sound head in relation to the magnetic belt 2 a desired number of words as determined by the setting of recall lever 19. It is assumed that the transcriber has been operating unit 5 in the Playback mode and has accordingly had the right side of foot control 8 depressed to transfer the playback contacts 1 and 2 and supply potential to energize relays R and RR and to supply the operating potential of 16.0 volts, nominal, to the upper portion of motor 105a to thereby cause its rotation in the forward direction.

As soon as the transcriber releases foot control 8, the playback switch assemblies SW1 and SW2 return to their normally closed conditions shown in FIG. 6a. Not SW1 provides ground to the circuits for relays R and RR which would normally deenergize them. However, relay R continues to hold through its own R-1 contacts and the timer contacts TC. A circuit now exists from the Automatic Ofi contacts (A O) through the R-2 contacts, left-center of FIG. 6a, now transferred, terminal 9 of foot control 8, playback contacts 2, terminal 12 of foot control to the lower circuit connection of motor 105a. The upper side of motor 105a is connected to ground through the Automatic Erase contacts m, the R-3 contacts presently closed, transistor T3, connector 11 in foot control 8 and Not switch 1 (W) by connector 7 to ground. The path through transistor T3 also serves as a ground connection for the upper side of the timer coil 3.

Motor 105a now rotates in the reverse direction to drive gear 260 counterclockwise, FIGS. 2 and 5. With the energization of the timer magnet T, rack 243 is moved into engagement with gear 260 by arm 254 due to the connection with stud 256. Motor a and gear 260 drive rack 243 rapidly toward contact strap 265 of the timer contacts TC. As soon as rack 243 moves sufficiently far enough to operate against contract strap 265 and open the timer contact TC, relay R becomes deenergized. This transfers all of the R contacts to the not actuated condition. The transfer of contacts R-l opened the holding circuit to relay R. The opening of contacts R-2 breaks the circuit for the 18.0 volt potential to the lower side of motor 105a while the opening of contacts R3 breaks the ground circuit for both motor 105a and timer T. Motor 105a ceases operation and timer T deenergizes to allow rack 243 to drop out of engagement with gear 260. Spring 250 restores rack 243 against stop 242 in readiness for another automatic word recall operation.

TERMINATION OF AUTOMATIC RECALL OPERA- TION PRIOR TO ITS NORMAL COMPLETION Under some circumstances, the transcriber may wish to continue with the Playback operation and not have the automatic recall feature completely operative. The recall operation may be terminated by the transcriber by an immediate further depression of the right side of foot control 8 which again transfers the playback switch assemblies SW1 and SW2 to their playback condition. When foot control 8 is operated prior to the completion of the automatic recall operation, timer T still has a large potential tending to keep it energized. This potential is in the range of 36 volts that is available at the Zener diode 168. Zener diode 168 normal drop is about 18 volts but with a 36 volt potential, a circuit is completed to quickly stop the motor through AEl, R3, and PH3 that form a short circuit around the motor armature. Relay R operation is prevented a predetermined amount of time even though the playback switch contact assembly SW1 has been transferred. Also, an 18 volt potential through transistor T6 controls transistor T7 to discharge a capacitor 169 in the base-emitter path of transistor T5 thereby maintaining relay RR deenergized to mute the audio circuits until the structures and circuits have settled down.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that a number of unique structures and circuits combine to establish efficient transcribing operations.

TRANSCRIBER LOGIC FIG. 8 illustrates the logic involved in operation of the transcriber circuits shown in detail in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The logic is clarified by consideration of a typical transcribing operation. The logic includes the foot control 8 with switch 1 and 2 contacts (SW1 and SW2) that are movable by depression of foot control 8 on the right side. The foot control includes Forward (FWD) and Reverse (REV) contacts for operating Forward and Reverse solenoids 88a and 89a under control of associated transistors T1 and T2. The logic further includes timer T, timer contacts TC, an R relay and associated transistor T4 controlled by transistor T19, an RR relay controlled by transistor T5 that is in turn selectively controlled by transistors T6 and T7 and motor 105a together with a motor control circuit for regulating its speed in a selected speed range.

A typical sequence of operations involves unloading a belt and reloading a new belt to continue transcription. When a belt is ejected from transcribing unit 5, the sound head is usually away from the home margin position as reflected by Head Restore (HR) contacts being closed as indicated with the designation Not Head Restore (H R). Such contacts being closed complete a circuit through Not Phase 1 contacts to drive motor 105a for restoring sound head to the initial margin location. When the transcriber inserts a belt into the unit, the Belt Load (BL) contacts close to further supply driving power to motor 105a through the Not Phase 1 contacts. This also conditions amplifier stage 195a for operation when the RR becomes energized later.

Immediately following insertion of a belt in the unit, the lead screw is phased to a zero condition and aperture 2a of belt 2 is sensed to establish a desired intial relationship between sound head 82 and belt 2 in the. unit. The belt loading and phasing mechanisms are latched with all of the phase contacts in an inactive or logical Not condition and retained in such condition until the lead screw is phased and the belt aperture is sensed. The mechanisms are reset upon such occurrence under control of a latch member operated by the Reverse solenoid 89a. Closure of the lead screw (LS) contacts indicating a lead screw zero phase condition and the Hole Detect (HD) contact complete a circuit to ground for'biasing transistor T2 on to energize the Reverse solenoid 89a, thereby unlatching the phasing mechanisms and indicating that the unit is ready for operation. This moves all of the Phase contacts to their phased condition.

To operate the unit, the transcriber depresses foot control 8 on the right side which transfers switch assemblies SW1 and SW2 to supply power to the various circuits of the machine. Power is from the power supply through the belt load (BL) contacts, Phase 1 (PHI) contacts, Automatic Off (KO), terminal 6 of foot control 8, switch 1, and terminal 11 to the upper side of relays R and RR, rendering the latter relays active and transferring the associated contacts. The relay RR contacts complete the amplifier circuits to head set 14. Power is also supplied from terminal 8, R3 and m to the upper side of motor 105a. The lower side of the motor circuit is completed through the automatic erase contacts xii 2 through switch SW2, connector 10, to the motor control circuit. Motor 105a thereupon operates to drive sound head in unit 5 in relation to magnetic belt 2 in order to trace a helical path on the belt.

During operation, the transcriber may wish to scan the belt forwardly or reversely and does so by appropriate depression of foot control 8. A Forward scan is initiated by depression of the Top of foot control 8 closing the forward (FWD) contacts to terminal 18 and driving transistor T1 to energize Forward solenoid 88a. This operates the escapement pawl assemblies in FIG. 3. Scanning of the sound head in a reverse direction with respect to magnetic belt 2 is effected by depression of the left side of foot control 8 which closes the reverse contacts and biases transistor T2 to operate the Reverse solenoid 89a.

The unit has an automatic recall feature that is controlled by movement of automatic recall lever 19 on the front of the unit through a range from No Recall to approximately five words of recall. While in a Playback mode with switches SW1 and SW2 transferred, the circuits of the equipment are prepared to supply an automatic recall operation upon termination of the Playback.

Relay R is held through its own R1 contacts and timer contacts TC that are controlled by the timer rack 243, FIG. 2.

Assuming that the automatic recall lever 19 is set at a position other than the zero (0) position, the operation of the automatic recall feature is as follows. Release of foot control 8 establishes the Not switch 1 and Not switch 2 conditions (SW 1 and SW?) and reverses connections to motor 105a to reverse the direction of driving of motor 105a in order to drive belt 2 in a reverse direction in relation to the sound head. Also, this rotates gear 260, FIG. 2, to drive rack 243 toward strap 265 of contact assembly T-1 in order to open contact assembly TC and terminate the recall operation. The extent of recall is determined by the relative location of rack 243 in relation to strap 265 as determined by the setting of stop 242 that is directly controlled by movement of automatic recall lever 19.

The circuit connections for reversing the rotation of motor a are from power supply, Belt Load (BL) contacts, Phase 1 (PHI), Not Automatic Off (KO), R2 contacts, Not Switch 2 (W2), connection 12, Not Automatic Erase contacts m, Phase 2 contacts to the bottom of motor 105a. This supplies approximately 18.0 volts on this side of the motor for driving purposes. The opposite side of the motor is grounded through the automatic erase contacts (m), the R3 contacts, transistor T3 connector 11, Not Switch 1 (SWT), connector 7 to ground. Ground is also applied to the timer coil which through the mechanisms shown in FIG. 2 moves rack 243 into engagement with gear 260. Opening of the timer contacts TC drops relay R and timer T. In this manner, a desired amount of recall is automatically obtained in the equipment.

If the operator wishes to terminate the timer operation prior to its normal completion, she again depresses foot control 8 to transfer the playback switch contacts SW1 and SW2 into a Playback mode. Such transfer of the SW1 and SW2 contacts opens the circuits for reverse driving of motor 105a, terminates the energizing circuit for the timer, and through transistor T19 drops relay R to permit the circuits to settle down. Relay R is then able after a predetermined length of time to become energized again as in a normal Playback mode of operation. Transistors T5, T6, and T7 are effective to control the relay RR that in turn controls muting of the audio circuits.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic recall feature for dictation transcribing apparatus, comprising:

mode control means for establishing a playback operation in said apparatus to enable transcription of information from a media;

start-stop means operable for starting and stopping relative forward driving of a sound head and media in said apparatus to reproduce information during said playback operation;

recall selection means positioned for manual setting by an operator and variably and infinitely settable throughout a predetermined range for selecting a quantity of information anywhere in said range desired to be played back from said media by said operator;

and electromechanical recall means controlled by said selection means and operable upon each deactiva tion of said start-stop means as it moves to a stop condition for relatively driving said sound head and said media in a reverse direction for a sufficient interval to enable playback of a quantity of information just reproduced when said start-stop means is again operated to a start condition, the said quantity of information being dependent upon and corresponding to the setting of said recall selection means made by said operator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a start-stop circuit controlled by said start-stop means;

a holding circuit for said start-stop circuit and operable during each recall operation to maintain electrical connection for relatively reversely driving said sound head and said media;

and means controlled by said recall selection means for deactivating said holding circuit to terminate said relative reverse driving.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a motor for relatively driving said sound head and media; and

a motor control circuit operable through said startstop means in a start condition to supply potential to rotate said motor for a forward relative drive of said sound head and media, and operable under control of said recall selection means through said start-stop means in a stop condition and said holding circuit to supply potential to rotate said motor for a reverse relative drive of said sound head and media for an interval that is dependent upon and that corresponds to the setting of said recall selection means.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a set of normally closed timer contacts to complete said holding circuit;

a timer relay for initiating operation of said holding circuit;

and means in said deactivating means for opening said timer contacts to deactivate said holding circuit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said recall range is from, as an example, No Recall to five (5 words of recall.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a movable stop member associated with said recall means for determining the interval of its operation;

means biasing said recall means against said stop memher; and

means connecting said manually settable means to said stop member to vary the position thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a foot control interconnected with said transcribing apparatus and serving as a start-stop means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a set of contacts associated with said recall means;

an adjustable movable rack member manually settable by an operator further away and closer to said contacts;

and means connecting said contacts for operation by said rack member to control reverse relative driving of said sound head and media for an amount of time that is dependent on the distance moved by said rack member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means responsive to an immediate movement of said start-stop means to start condition following a movement to stop condition to activate and immediately deactivate said recall means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,222,074 12/1965 Walker 27411(D) 3,239,230 3/1966 Griswold 274-21 3,242,268 3/1966 Wolfner l79l0O.l(DR) 3,222,460 12/1965 Albanes 179100.l(DR) 3,056,606 10/1962 Schueler 179l00.1(DR) 25 LEONARD F ORMAN, Primary Examiner D. A. DEARING, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

@213?" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 S67 229 Dated March 2 1971 Inventor) Charles L. Ridings, et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified pater and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Specification, Col 5 Line 70 change "active" to -activate-.

In the drawings sheet 1 FIG, 2 the vertically oriented spring member to the left of reference designation "T" should be mechanically connected as shown, but positioned entirely in front of timer magnet T rather than behind timer magnet T as shown. This will then conform with the positioning of the same spring member represented in FIG. 5 about 1/4" to the right of reference designation "'1 Signed and sealed this 26th day of October 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GO'IISCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patel 

